NPS
Photos by Brad Shults
Focus
Concept: Population
dynamics - the study of the fluctuations that occur in the numbers
of animals and that factors that control those fluctuations.
Sub-concepts:
taxonomy, population
size, population change, seasonal migration, adaptations, habitat,
wildlife management, aerial survey, radiotelemetry
Generalization:
Wildlife managers need
to understand the natural and human-induced factors that determine
the population size of a species, so that they can make informed
decisions to protect them.
Information
Sources:
Dall
Sheep Taxonomy, Dall
Sheep Fact Sheet, Vertebrate
Fact Sheet, Encarta
Classification article, Encarta
Classification table, Dall
Sheep Life Cycle, Dall
Sheep Population Size, Dall
Sheep and People: Wildlife management of Dall sheep
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Guiding
Questions
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Critical
Content (Students will know...)
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National
Standards Met
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Skill
Objectives (Students will be able to...)
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Suggested Activity
Lesson Plans
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| What
are vertebrates, mammals and sheep? What characteristics do
they have in common and how are they different? |
...
the unique characteristics and adaptations of Dall sheep,
and how they fit in the taxonomy classification. |
Science
|
|
Activity
1:
What Do You Know?
Brainstorm as a class what students already know and what
they want to learn about Dall sheep.
Activity
2:
The Vertebrate Grab Game
A running game where students race to answer clues to different
vertebrate types.
Activity3:
Vertebrate Mystery
In small
groups, students read clues and solve the mystery of the
vertebrate type.
Activity
4:
Special Parts
Using props or pictures, students describe adaptations of
Dall sheep.
Activity
5:
Hard to See?
Students
perform an experiment to understand camouflage. This
activity is specifically geared to meet the Science as Inquiry
national science standard.
Activity
6:
Sheep Maneuvers
Students simulate predator-prey using a modified game of
tag.
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| Where
do Dall sheep spend each season and why? |
...
how seasons and habitat selection are related to behavior
and life cycles. |
Science
Math
|
|
Activity
7:
Year of the Sheep
Students develop a timeline of a year in the life of Dall
sheep.
Activity
8:
Who's Got My Habitat?
Students represent habitat components and the sheep trying
to use them. Some may be plentiful and others scarce.
Activity
9:
Habitat Grid
Students brainstorm to create a matrix of survival needs
of wildlife, pets and people.
Activity
10:
Through the Seasons
Students learn
about “limiting factors” by simulating the seasonal migration
of Dall sheep.
|
| What
are factors influencing the size of Dall sheep populations? |
...
about sheep biology, behaviors and population biology concepts |
Science
Math
|
|
Activity
11:
Population Art
Students create a mural of five common animals species in
their area and learn to count population size.
Activity
12:
Population Calculation
Students use actual 1986-2002 data to graph and analyze
sheep population numbers and changes.
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| How
can we study a species in the wild like Dall sheep? |
...
how the National Park Service manages Dall sheep, using research
data and traditional knowledge. |
Science
Math
|
Dall
Sheep and People: Wildlife management of Dall sheep |
Activity
13:
Scavenger Hunt
Hunt for pictures for a scavenger hunt exploring the relationship
of people and animals.
Activity
14:
Field Sampling
Students learn a basic method to estimate population size
called sampling. This activity is specifically geared
to meet the Science as Inquiry national science standard.
Activity
15:
The Bean Counters: Mark-Recapture
Students use the mark-recapture method to estimate the population
of beans in a jar. This activity is specifically geared
to meet the Science as Inquiry national science standard.
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| How
should we design future Dall research to help us with wildlife
management? |
...how
to ask scientific questions and to design a research project |
Science
Math
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Hoofin'
It! Final Activity |
>
Final Activity >
